In Plastic-Bag Wars, the Industry Fights Back

Trade groups defend their straws, too, and say alternative materials do more harm to environment

By Saabira Chaudhuri of The WSJ. Excerpts:

"The APBA [American Progressive Bag Alliance] highlights a U.K. government analysis that found paper bags must be used three times for their carbon footprint to drop below that of single-use plastic bags made from high-density polyethylene—or HDPE—and cotton bags 131 times. The study measured the impact of making paper bags by counting the use of energy and palm oil, and the disposal of ash from production. It said growing cotton and producing yarn depletes natural resources, emits damaging chemicals and depletes oxygen in water bodies."

"thicker, reusable plastic bags wound up in Austin’s waste stream after the Texas city banned single-use plastic bags in 2013."

"About 5.5% of HDPE bags, sacks and wraps are recycled in the U.S., according to the Environmental Protection Agency."

"The American Chemistry Council said Maine’s recent ban on polystyrene containers is misguided because foam uses less energy and water than paper- or corn-based alternatives, mainly because it weighs less."

"Garçon Wines—a London-based firm that makes flat plastic wine bottles that fit through a mail slot—said its recycled bottles are 87% lighter than glass and shaped to allow more wine to be shipped in the same space, reducing emissions.

“There are undoubtedly some businesses who have not engaged with us because of the antiplastic sentiment,” Chief Executive Santiago Navarro said. “However, that does not change what we do.”"